Gwanghwamun Plaza (광화문 광장) - Area information - Korea travel information

Gwanghwamun Plaza (광화문 광장)

Gwanghwamun Plaza (광화문 광장)

6.3Km    2025-03-13

172 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-120

Gwanghwamun Plaza was opened to the public in August 2022 after renovation. Sejong-ro, the main street of Seoul with 600 years of history, has been reborn as a space for historical and cultural experiences by restoring Yukjo Street. Woldae (Elevated Ceremonial Stage) was reconstructed at the entrance of the "Plaza that Recovers the History of Gwanghwamun," and the statue of Haetae, an imaginary animal that judges good and evil, has been restored. In addition, traces of Yukjo Street, the main street of Hanyang in the past, were restored in the ‘Plaza that recreates the scenery of Yukjo Street’ near Sejong-ro Park, with a scale model installed. This is an excellent place for a stroll with beautiful scenery, including Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bugaksan Mountain.

Sejong-ro Park (세종로공원)

Sejong-ro Park (세종로공원)

6.3Km    2022-08-31

jiha 189, Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-722-9598

Sejong-ro Park is located next to Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul. Inside the park, there are wooden benches and shaded areas where people can sit and relax. Also available are water fountains, a round outdoor stage, and various sculptures. The lunch crowd from the nearby office buildings often come to the park during weekdays. On the weekends, the park is also used as a venue for outdoor weddings.

Seoul's anthem and the poem "Bulnori" by Ju Yo-han are written on a memorial stone that can be found inside the park.

Seochon Guest House [Korea Quality] / 서촌게스트하우스 [한국관광 품질인증]

Seochon Guest House [Korea Quality] / 서촌게스트하우스 [한국관광 품질인증]

6.3Km    2023-09-05

28-3 , Jahamun-ro 7-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-473-9680

Seochon Guest House in Seochon, Jongno, Seoul, consists of a 90 year-old hanok and a two-story Western-style house. A 6-cheop table is provided for meals, and travelers can use the 1st floor rooms and hall at any time. In the yard, Pansori performances are held twice a year, and residents can sample traditional music, wearing hanbok, and making Korean food; the guesthouse’s other name is Pleasure Valley (Jaeminan Gol)! There are programs for visiting Inwangsan-Bukaksan fortress trail, Gyeongbokgung and other royal palaces, and nearby traditional markets.

Jangchungdan Park (장충단공원)

Jangchungdan Park (장충단공원)

6.3Km    2020-03-18

261, Dongho-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

Jangchungdan Park is located on the northeastern foot of Namsan Mountain. On August 20th, 1895, Empress Myeongseong was killed by Japanese soldiers in Gyeongbokgung Palace and many Korean soldiers such as Yi Gyeong-jik and Hong Gye-hun died while trying to hold back the intruders. In memory of these soldiers, Emperor Gojong built the Jangchungdan Shrine in November 1900 at the current site of the Shilla Hotel guesthouse. The shrine was lost during the Korean War and the area was renovated into a park in 1919.

On September 22, 1984, Jangchungdan Park was designated the 374th neighborhood park of Korea and part of the park was merged with Namsan Park. The remaining area retained the name “Jangchungdan Park” and is still home to cultural assets such as the Jangchungdan Memorial Stone, Supyogyo, Seungjeongjeon, Gwanseongmyo, and Waryongmyo. The park is considered a landmark of patriotism since it contains the 1919 Independence Movement of Korea Memorial Stone and other monuments dedicated to people such as Han Yong-un, Yu Gwan-sun, and Gim Yong-hwan who fought for the independence of Korea.

Hanok Guesthouse Dongchonchae (한옥 게스트하우스 동촌재)

Hanok Guesthouse Dongchonchae (한옥 게스트하우스 동촌재)

6.4Km    2024-12-23

21-10 , Jahamun-ro 11-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-10-8561-5227, +82-10-9127-5227

Dongchonjae is a hanok guesthouse in Seochon, Jongno, Seoul. The the Anchae(women's quarters) consists of four sleeping rooms and a cheongmaru lounge space, plus kitchen and toilet. (There are  also shared toilets in the yard.) Cooking is not allowed, but guests are welcome to bring in prepared food. A free breakfast is provided. Guests can watch movies in the yard or main hall, and can use the refrigerator and washing machine. A guided night tour of Seoul City Wall is offered, as is a tea ceremony, and rice-cake making experience.

Hojil (호질)

Hojil (호질)

6.4Km    2021-03-20

15, Jahamun-ro, 9-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-764-6822

A good restaurant to visit before and after the tour, being located near Gyeongbokgung Palace, one of the tourist attractions. This restaurant's signature menu is spicy sea snail salad. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Korea Military Academy (육군사관학교)

Korea Military Academy (육군사관학교)

6.4Km    2022-08-30

574, Hwarang-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2197-6125

Korea Military Academy is a place of strict rules, patriotism, and military cadets. It was extremely difficult for outsiders to visit the academy until 1997, when a special tourism course was created. The course showcases the major sites at Korea Military Academy. Starting from the school information center, visitors can see the museum, memorial hall, and exhibition center in a 1.5 hour course. The Military Museum displays treasures and materials from each branch of the military, while visitors can see the history of the military and lifestyle of cadets at the memorial hall. However, the highlight of a trip to Korea Military Academy is watching the Hwarang Ceremony, a parade of cadets which takes place every Saturday at 11:30. In the ceremony, cadets don their formal uniform to march. Touring the academy at 10 is perfect for watching the parade later.

Statue of Admiral Yi Sun-Shin (충무공 이순신 동상)

Statue of Admiral Yi Sun-Shin (충무공 이순신 동상)

6.4Km    2024-03-04

175, Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul

The Statue of Admiral Yi Sun-Shin can be found at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. Admiral Yi Sun-shin (1545-1598) was a naval commander who served during the Japanese invasion of Korea (also known as Imjin War: 1592-1598). The undefeated admiral achieved 23 victories against the Japanese navy using innovative tactics, and he is thus considered as one of the greatest generals in the history of Korea. Admiral Yi’s likeness can be found on the 100 won coin.

PANE PASTA - Jongno Branch (빠네파스타 종로)

PANE PASTA - Jongno Branch (빠네파스타 종로)

6.4Km    2021-03-19

11, Jahamun-ro, 7-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-777-6556

A specialty restaurant serving pizza and pasta dishes baked in an authentic Italian wood-fired oven. The representative menu is margherita pizza. This Western cuisine is located near Gyeongbokgung (Government Complex-Seoul) Station, Seoul.

HiKR Ground (하이커 그라운드)

HiKR Ground (하이커 그라운드)

6.4Km    2025-06-18

40 Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

Located inside the Korea Tourism Organization Seoul Center, HiKR Ground is a Korean tourism publicity center where visitors can experience K-pop and view media art at the same time. The name "HiKR Ground" embodies the meaning that Korea (KR) will greet ("Hi") global tourists and become a playground. Notably, it provides Korean tourism content in multiple ways for the younger generation to enjoy. On the first floor, there is a space to enjoy various media arts through the large media screen HiKR Wall, where visitors can see "Landscape of the New City" by media artist Lee Lee-nam, and Korean tourism videos submitted by global hallyu fans. On the second floor, visitors can make their own K-pop music videos using the XR Live Studio. At the window facing the restored Cheonggyecheon Stream, there is a  mesmerizing artwork called ''North Wall'' by installation artist Suh Do-ho. On the third and fourth floors, visitors can get immersed in Korean local tourism through various arts, experiences, and exhibitions.